A Guide For Removing Cat Urine Odor and Stains Forever

The word frustrating is an understated description of your cat’s baffling habit of ignoring the litter box and urinating all over your home. This is a serious problem for many cat owners. The unquestionable, potent smell of cat urine in carpeting and upholstery is difficult to live with. In fact, it’s the most common reason cats are abandoned or relinquished to shelters. Because these cats have obvious behavior problems, shelters often consider them unadoptable. Sadly, this means that many of them will be euthanized. Even sadder is the fact that a little understanding, effort and detective work could have corrected the problem and allowed many of them to keep their loving homes.

The Inappropriate Urination Dilemma for Felines

If your cat has a house-soiling problem, there are many different solutions to try. Armed with insight and patience, you’ll likely find something that works. Before tackling a litter-box mystery, try to view your cat’s side of the issue.

Is My Cat Angry?

There are many different reasons that cats urinate outside of their litter boxes. It’s sometimes asserted that cats engage in this behavior out of anger, spite or revenge. This is false. To make that kind of connection, a cat would have to be capable of far more sophisticated reasoning than they actually have.

A Difference in Perception

Cats don’t view their urine and feces the same way that humans do. They don’t comprehend that we find their bodily waste distasteful. This is one reason that punishing a cat for inappropriate urination is simply not effective. In fact, verbal or physical scolding is likely to make the problem even worse by causing stress and fear.

In many cases, inappropriate urination is a clear signal that something is medically or emotionally wrong. You would never knowingly punish an animal for being ill, in pain, confused or frightened. The problem isn’t your cat’s fault. He is reacting to something; uncovering the reason behind his reaction is the key to restoring normal litter box use and a healthy, odor-free home.

Why Would My Cat Want to Pee Everywhere?

To better understand the problem, it helps to know how a cat perceives its own urine. We know cats to be fastidious creatures who like to bury the evidence of their presence in a box, safely under litter that we can easily clean. This is one reason cats are such popular pets. The fact that they naturally want to bury it all makes it easy to assume that cats consider their urine and feces just as “dirty” as we do, but this isn’t actually the case.

Modern cats still carry traits of their ancestors. In the wild, felines were aware that predators could track them by scent. Since both urine and feces produce a strong odor that could reveal their presence, it was wise and practical to minimize that odor by hiding it under dirt or sand. Over time, the instinct became a natural element of feline behavior even when threatening predators weren’t around. When a cat suddenly ignores this basic drive, there’s usually a valid reason for it.

Soiling and Spraying: Two Different Problems

There are two possible types of problem urination. One is soiling. This arises from the normal, everyday need to empty the contents of the bladder. When cats void their bladders, even in the wrong places, they normally assume a squatting position just like they would inside their litter boxes.

The other type is spraying or scent-marking. This is a form of communication. As effectively as hiding urine odor protected ancient cats from predators, deliberately marking objects with urine communicates a clear message to other cats.

Hormone-Related Spraying

If you see your cat’s tail lifted and his hindquarters quivering while he’s backed against a flat upright surface, you’re likely observing his attempt to send a message to fellow cats through spraying. To define his territory, assert his dominance or alert females in heat, a male cat will spray small amounts of urine on vertical surfaces such as walls or furniture. This behavior is usually hormonal in nature and is most common in unneutered male cats. Some unspayed females will also spray.

While males begin urine-marking regularly at the onset of sexual maturation, females are more likely to spray during heat cycles. In either case, spaying or neutering may help reduce the incidence of spraying, even if it’s performed in adulthood. For the best results, you should have male cats neutered before they are six months old. Once spraying behavior starts, it’s more difficult to eradicate.

Spraying in Altered Cats

Urine-marking can also be a result of emotional stress or anxiety, and this can be seen even in neutered and spayed cats. It’s common in multi-cat households, especially when new cats are first introduced. In these cases, time may resolve the problem, but temporary separation of new cats and gradual re-introduction along with gentle reassurance and stress-reduction measures can sometimes help.

When the Problem is Outside

Territorial indoor cats may feel intimidated by the presence of unfamiliar cats outside, especially if males are scent-marking objects near your house. Your cat can detect the scent even if it’s not obvious to you. If the presence of outdoor cats is exacerbating a spraying problem, consider taking measures to keep other cats away from your yard. Humane products like non-toxic cat repellants or motion activated devices can be helpful. Closing blinds and lowering shades to restrict your cat’s view of the outdoors may also help.

Is Your Cat Happy with His Litter Box?

Some of the most common reasons for litter box aversion are related to the box itself. No one really knows why some cats are more particular about the condition of their box than others, but making a few changes can often satisfy the cat and restore normal behavior without great expense. Here are a few troubleshooting tips for dealing with cats who are fussy about their litter boxes.

• Make sure the box is in a calm and quiet location away from the cat’s food and water and any intimidating sounds or sights.
• Your cat should have plenty of room to move around in the box. Large, domed boxes are often a good choice.
• Some cats prefer boxes without lids. Try an open box if your cat refuses a covered one.
• If you have multiple cats, provide a box for every cat plus one extra. Place them in separate locations.
• Do not overfill. A two-inch layer of litter is adequate.
• Keep litter clean. Scoop solids and clumps twice daily, and change litter whenever odors are evident.
• Wash boxes with detergent and water whenever litter is changed. If boxes are old and start to retain odor, replace them.
• Choose soft, unscented litters that produce little dust. Brands with strong fragrances or rough textures may be rejected. You may need to try several brands to find one your cat accepts.
• If your cat tends to urinate on flat, smooth surfaces, try leaving his litter box partially empty.

Medical Causes

Of all the reasons cats urinate in the wrong places, medical reasons are the most serious, and they require immediate attention. Any cat that suddenly stops using a litter box should be checked by a vet to make sure there’s no underlying illness causing the behaviour. Cats tend to be stoic and hide their symptoms, but pain is often revealed by their actions. After experiencing pain while using a litter box, cats may associate their box with the pain and avoid it in a desperate attempt to escape or prevent suffering. Any serious disease can manifest strange behavioural problems, but a few are more likely to be related to urinary and litter box issues in general.

• Urinary Tract Infections

A bacterial UTI can cause pain or leave your cat unable to urinate. Blood in the urine, crying or straining in the litter box are signs of a possible infection.

• Feline Urologic Syndrome

In this disease, tiny crystals are formed in the bladder and urethra; this can cause pain and bleeding. In severe cases, FUS can produce a blockage of the urethra. If this isn’t corrected immediately, it will cause kidney failure and rapidly lead to death. The condition can affect either gender, but it tends to be more serious in male cats.

• Gastrointestinal Disease or Parasites

Although they don’t directly affect the process of urination, conditions of the colon and rectum may cause pain when defecating that leads the cat to associate pain with the litter box.

• Diabetes, Kidney or Liver Disease

Any disease that causes increased thirst, a sense of urinary urgency and changes in urine output may affect voiding habits.

• Nervous System Disorders

Neuromuscular disorders may lead to incontinence. If a cat loses control of their bowels or bladder, voiding in unusual places or producing a trail of urine or feces may occur.

• Arthritis and Mobility Issues

The chronic pain and stiffness of arthritis or other physical disabilities can make getting in and out of a litter box difficult and result in inappropriate elimination.

• Chronic Pain or Injury

Internal injury, skin problems, muscular strain or chronic nerve pain can all lead to litter box avoidance. Declawing surgery may cause nerve damage or sensitivity in the front feet that leads to discomfort when standing in litter.

• General Illness

Any severe illness causing weakness, dizziness, fever or general malaise can alter voiding behaviours.

• Age-Related Changes

Elderly cats may suffer from confusion or become incontinent. Providing extra litter boxes in several rooms may help.

Any cat that shows signs of illness or sudden changes in behaviour should be medically evaluated. If inappropriate urination is due to medical causes, it can often be reversed once the underlying condition is treated.

Behavioral Causes

Once medical causes have been ruled out, it’s time to consider potential psychological sources of the unwanted behavior. This can be more difficult, but careful observation can often uncover the answers.

Loneliness and Boredom

Some cats may display problem behaviors when they want more attention. Certain breeds, such as the Siamese and Abyssinian, need more social interaction and activity than others. Providing interactive toys or spending more quality time with your cat may help to alleviate boredom problems.

Stress and Anxiety

Litter box issues may accompany major changes in the household or routine. Moving to a new home, the addition of a new cat, dog or other pet, a new baby or spouse or a multitude of other changes can upset your cat. Many of these changes may seem trivial to humans but affect cats deeply. Some cats even become disturbed when new furniture is purchased.

Calming Therapies

There are several ways to soothe a stressed cat. Extra one-on-one attention is a powerful tool for calming anxiety. Pheromone-based sprays may help with problems caused by a new pet.

Herbal therapies, gentle daily massage and therapeutic touch can also be effective and will benefit owners as well as their cats. Check with an alternative medicine specialist for recommendations. If one is available in your area, you can also consult an animal behaviorist for professional advice.

In cases that do not respond to simpler means, prescription medication may prove effective. Ask your veterinarian if an anti-anxiety drug is appropriate for your cat.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Even when an exact cause of inappropriate urination cannot be found, there are ways to lessen the damage and influence your cat’s behavior.

• Remove all traces of old urine odor from the household. If your cat can still smell urine on a surface, he’s more likely to mark it again.
• Place aluminum foil over areas he targets. Cats do not like the way foil feels or sounds.
• Cover problem areas with plastic sheeting and place plastic runners on floors until the underlying causes of soiling can be determined.
• If you have an ill, elderly or recovering cat with limited mobility, use baby gates to keep him in rooms without carpet or upholstery when he cannot be supervised.

The first rendition of cat litter was created in 1947 when Edward Lowe decided he would come to rescue of neighbor and friend, Deborah Jenkins. Jenkins loved her cat so much that he didn’t want the cat, Tiger, to have to bare cold winters outside. The only problem was Miss Deborah, much like many cat owners today, didn’t want her house to smell like cat poop and pee and how to provide a reasonable and effective place for her cat to use the bathroom indoors. Lowe, a mechanic by trade, suggested Miss Deborah use the same porous clay he sold to automobile oil-change shops for absorbing oil.

After Miss Deborah excitedly claimed that Lowe had a “miracle solution” on his hands, Lowe began bagging the clay and labeled it “Kitty Litter”. At first, Lowe had to literally give his new invention away to pet shops, because none of the owners believed his claims. After some of the customers who tried the Kitty Litter came back to the store testifying for its effectiveness and placing orders for more bags of the mysterious substance, Mr. Lowe began to realize he had something miraculous on his hands.

Over the next several years, Lowe retired from the life of a mechanic and began selling and promoting Kitty Litter full time. By the time of his death, Lowe had become a multimillionaire and had created the foundation for the Kitty Litter industry, which now garners over $2.4 billion per year and saves millions of folks from having to deal with or get rid of the smell of cat pee.

As you already know, the pungent and permeating odor of cat urine can fill a house, even if the cat has only peed in one spot on the carpet. And usually, if you’ve found that a cat has urinated inside your house once, it’s peed in several more areas. If you really want to eliminate the smell of cat urine from your house, car, or any other confined area then you need to make sure that you’re applying the best cat urine odor removal steps to each and every spot the cat has peed.

There are basically two ways to find the exact areas a cat has urinated. First, and least desirable, is to sniff around the carpet, furniture, clothes, plants, and any other likely place in the house you kitty may have “relieved him or herself”. Not only is this a little gross, it’s inefficient and you won’t be able to find all the spots; no matter how hard you try.

You can try to get your dog to help out, but we’re not sure if he’ll take part!

The second and strongly suggested method is to use a blacklight to detect any spots the cat may have urinated on without you knowing. You’ll know you found the “site of urination”, because cat pee turns neon yellow when you shine it with a blacklight.

Types of Blacklights for Cat Pee Detection

There are two different types of black-lights sold specifically for detecting cat urine in your in home. The first (see below) is smaller and less expensive.While these types of blacklights will work for finding the contaminated areas (especially on your carpet, clothing, or any upholstery), they can be real pain to use. Because the blacklight bulbs are so small and dim, the urine is harder to detect and thus properly eliminate. In fact, when using this type of blacklight in the past, I’ve found myself crawling around on cat urine infested carpets, which is exactly what I was trying to prevent by purchasing a backlight to uncover those hidden spots of cat pee.

LED Blacklight flashlights, on the other hand, allow cat owners to find any areas where the cat has urinated with the slight shift of a wrist. While they are more expensive, think about it in these terms. If you don’t find every spot a cat has urinated, all the money you spend on expensive enzyme cleaners, the hours of surveying your cat pee ridden home, and everything else might all be worthless if you don’t find every spot where your cat urinated. I promise you, it will save you time, effort, and grief if you use the proper tools from the start.

Tips & Tricks For Using Black Lights to Detect Cat Urine

1. Try to do this at night or with the blind’s shut. The more light there is in the room, the less effective the blacklight will be at determining the source of odorous cat urine. This is particularly true when it comes to removing cat pee from concrete, because concrete soaks the urine in making it harder to see and eliminate. The stronger, more industrial black light mentioned directly above should provide enough light for you to navigate in the darkness.
2. After you’ve applied the first round of enzyme cleaners, the yellow glow of cat urine will be less prominent, so it’s often a good idea to create a rough map of the room and scribble down the soiled areas so you can go back and repeat the odor removal treatment if necessary.
3. Like enzyme cleaners, the distinct glow of the cat urine under the blacklight will fade over time. This is another reason why it’s important to treat areas affected with cat urine as soon as possible. You should still be able to see some yellow under the black light, but it won’t be as vibrant, making it easier to overlook.

Every now and then our feline friends will urinate on our hardwood floors. Of course no one wants this to happen in their home, but cats are animals after all they have accidents just like we do.

When cleaning cat urine odor from hardwood floors, there are two main goals. First, you want to make sure there’s no urine odor in your home as a result of the cat peeing on the hardwood. Second, you want to make sure that the urine doesn’t stain the wood, creating a spot that ruins the expensive finish on your hardwood.

As soon as you find a spot on your wooden floors where a cat has peed, go ahead and blot it up with paper towels. (Some folks prefer to use rubber gloves while they do this.) Remember, there are usually more spots than you think so use a black-light to find extra spots. Once the area has been completely dried, use a 1 to 3 mix of vinegar and warm water and wipe the floor thoroughly with a vinegar-water soaked sponge. Finally, use your favorite enzyme odor remover to make sure smell of cat urine is completely removed.

It’s important to always test the enzyme cleaner on a hidden part of your hardwood floor (closets work well) before using it on a more visible part of the floor. This way, you’ll know it won’t have any effect on the hard wood finish.

If worse comes to worse and you can’t get the cat urine stink removed, you can try to sand the affected area and then reseal the wood. While you need to be sure to do this with professional supervision, it might save you from having to get entirely new hardwood floors. If you decide to go this route, it’s very important that you’ve removed all of the urine from the hardwood before resealing the floor, because the sealant or finish can actually trap the odor in the floor, creating an even worse problem.

There are generally two reasons why cats urinate in places other than their litter box. The first possibility is that your cat is in heat. If you’re cat is in heat, you’ll generally find that the feline sprayed a vertical area like a wall, the back of a couch or chair, or the side of a bed. If your find the cat is urinating on vertical surfaces, you know your cat is in heat and is simply reaching out to other male cats through it’s pheromone laced pee.

If your cat is spraying inside the house, you’re best option is to get the female feline spayed. Once a female cat has been spayed, she won’t feel the need to reach out to male cats with that thick, oily urine that smells particularly bad.

If the cat is urinating or horizontal surfaces (much like they would in their litter box) on surfaces like the floor, the top of your bed or comforter, or the flat seating area of a couch or chair, then the cat is most likely stressed and upset or possibly ill.

Our cat, Bella, has been peeing all throughout the upstairs of our house, primarily urinating on the carpet. We made the mistake of getting upset with our cat, only to later find out that she had a horrible bladder infection, the cause of her inability to use the litter box.

Cat’s can also urinate on flat surfaces, like a hard wood floor or carpet, if they’re stressed or upset. For example, many people notice that their cat suddenly starts to urinate in the house when they’ve moved, added a new member to the family (whether it be a cat, dog, or child), or have guests who brought their cats along with them. The important thing to figure out is what has changed since the behavior started. In our case, Bella had gotten out of the house about 6 weeks ago, during which time the veterinarian thinks she got dehydrated, hence the bladder infection. In other cases, look for behavioral or environmental changes and you’ll likely find the reason the cat is suddenly urinating outside of its litter box.

Finally, another common reason cats begin urinating in the house, is that their litter box isn’t clean. It may seem clean to you, but if it’s not clean enough to the cat, then that’s all that really matters. Homes with several cats are more likely to have this problem than homes with only one cat. Also, believe it or not, sometimes cats will hoard the litter box. For example, if you have a cat that’s particularly dominate, it might aggressively guarding the litterbox, preventing the less dominant cats from feeling comfortable using the litter box. This is more rare, but when a cat is consistently urinating inside your home, you want to consider all of the possible causes of the cat’s behavior.